Coin handling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Coin handling apparatus includes a coin acceptor/rejector for receiving a coin deposited therein and discharging an accepted coin into a coin chute. Retaining means project into the coin chute for retaining an accepted coin discharged therein. A movable plate, manually operated by a user of the apparatus, carries a notched locking bar and a coin release action bar, the locking bar being biased to normally engage a stop and prevent cycling of the apparatus in the absence of a coin being received on the coin retaining means. The locking bar includes means for engaging a coin retained in the coin chute, thereby to be urged out of its normal, resiliently biased position and avoid engaging the stop, and permitting further movement of the movable plate. The coin release action bar, during that further plate movement, effects withdrawal of the retaining means from the coin chute and permits the coin to pass through the chute and be deposited in a coin box. The movable plate may then be withdrawn, completing the cycle. A coin changer embodiment of the apparatus further includes a plurality of coin storage tubes containing coins to be dispensed, the movable plate having a plurality of corresponding coin pockets. The full cycle of movement of the plate, as permitted by the presence of a coin held within the chute by the coin retaining means, permits disposing the coin pockets beneath the corresponding coin storage tubes for receiving a coin from each tube in the corresponding pocket. As the plate is withdrawn in completing the cycle of operation, the coins in the pockets are correspondingly withdrawn from the coin storage tubes and passed over a discharge chute through which the coins are dispensed to the user. The coin handling apparatus may then be employed to actuate a further mechanism upon deposit of a coin of appropriate denomination therein, alternatively as a coin changing mechanism for dispensing coins of smaller denomination from the coin storage tubes and of an aggregate value corresponding to the denomination of the deposited coin, or as a combination thereof, supplying coins of smaller denominations and actuating a further mechanism, the service charge for which mechanism in addition to the aggregate value of the dispensed coins of smaller denominations corresponding to the value of the deposited coin. Means are provided for automatically rejecting any additional coin deposited while a previously deposited coin is present on the retaining means and, in the coin changing apparatus, when the supply of coins to be dispensed is exhausted.

' United States Patent 1191 Simons 1 COIN HANDLING APPARATUS Bennie P. Simons, 2516 Robinson Way, Huntsville, Tex. 77340 22 Filed: June 9,1971

21 Appl.No.: 151,296

[76] Inventor:

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 6/1950 Denmark... 1/ 1958 ....194 92 ltaly ..l94/58 Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Assistant Examiner-Francis J. Bartuska AttorneyStaas, Halsey & Gable [5 7 ABSTRACT Coin handling apparatus includes a coin acceptor/rejector for receiving a coin deposited therein and discharging an accepted coin into a coin chute. Retaining means project into the coin chute for retaining an accepted coin discharged therein. A movable plate, manually operated by a user of the apparatus, carries a notched locking bar and a coin release action bar, the locking bar being biased to normally engage a stop and prevent cycling of the apparatus in the Apr. 10,1973

absence of a coin being received on the coin retaining means. The locking bar includes means for engaging a coin retained in the coin chute, thereby to be urged out of its normal, resiliently biased position and avoid engaging the stop, and permitting further movement of the movable plate. The coin release action bar, during that further plate movement, effects withdrawal of the retaining means from the coin chute and permits the coin to pass through the chute and be deposited in a coin box. The movable plate may then be withdrawn, completing the cycle. A coin changer embodiment of the apparatus further includes a plurality of coin storage tubes containing coins to be dispensed, the movable plate having a plurality of corresponding coin pockets. The full cycle of movement of the plate, as permitted by the presence of a coin held within the chute by the coin retaining means, permits disposing the coin pockets beneath the corresponding coin storage tubes for receiving a coin from each tube in the corresponding pocket. As the plate is withdrawn in completing the cycle of operation, the coins in the pockets are correspondingly withdrawn from the coin storage tubes and passed ,over a discharge chute through which the coins are dispensed to the user. The coin handling apparatus may then be employed to actuate a further mechanism upon deposit of a coin of appropriate denomination therein, alternatively as a coin changing mechanism for dispensing coins of smaller denomination from the coin storage tubes and of an aggregate value corresponding to the denomination of the deposited coin, or as a combination thereof, supplying coins of smaller denominations and actuating a further mechanism, the service charge for which mechanism in addition to the aggregate value of the dispensed coins of smaller denominations corresponding to the value of the deposited coin. Means are provided for automatically rejecting any additional coin deposited while a previously deposited coin is present on the retaining means and, in the coin changing apparatus, when the supply of coins to be dispensed is exhausted.

21 Cl, 8 Drawing Figures PNENTED 3,726,378

' sum 1 ur 4 INVENTOR BENME P SIMONS PATENTEU APR 1 01973 sum u or 4 com HANDLING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to coin handling apparatus and, more particularly, to such apparatus for actuating other mechanisms through mechanical linkages or electrical switching means and/or as a coin changer for dispensing a number of coins of smaller denominations, in response to the deposit of a coin of a predetermined denomination therein.

2. State of the Prior Art Coin handling devices, such as for making change or for actuating other apparatus, e.g., vending machines, copiers and the like, ideally should be relatively maintenance-free, simple to operate, not subject to jamming, and should reliably reject coins when the coin supply is exhausted, when a coin previously has been deposited and the device has not completed a cycle of operation, and as well when spurious coins are deposited. In addition, the device should be designed to assure that it cannot be operated to give change or actuate other apparatus unless a coin of proper denomination has been accepted and will be reliably received within a coin box or reservoir in the device. Further, as a change making device, it is important that the supply of coins of smaller denominations to which the deposited coin is to be changed may be readily replenished, in a minimum of time and with a minimum of efiort.

Prior devices have often lacked one or more of these desired qualities or have been unduly complicated and difficult to service. Many such prior devices, for example, incorporate electrical actuating components and thus present restrictions in their scope of use by virtue of proximate location to, and convenience of connection to, sources of electrical energy. Further, many such prior devices, when employed as coin changing devices, do not afford convenience in servicing as to the replenishing of the supply of coins of smaller denominations therein.

The coin handling apparatus of the invention overcomes these and other defects and disadvantages of prior art coin handling devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a mechanically operated coin handling device of simplified design and operation, requiring no electrically driven parts, solenoids, or gear trains, and having a minimum number of spring controlled levers and linkages.

The basic operating mechanism of the coin handling device of the invention may be embodied in a coin changing device for changing a deposited coin of a definite value for a group of coins of smaller denominations having anaggregate value equal to that of the deposited coin. Alternatively, it may be embodied in a device for activating, through a mechanical linkage or by means of electrical switch elements, further mechanisms such as vending machines and the like, upon deposit therein of a coin of the appropriate denominational value. The device of the invention may also embody a combination of these operational features, such as for receiving a coin of a given denomination thereby to actuate a further mechanism and, as

well, to dispense coins of a value equal to the difference between the value of the deposited coin and the cost of the desired operation of the further mechanism, be it in the rendering of a service such as by a photocopying machine or the vending of merchandise such as by candy or other vending apparatus.

In accordance with the invention, the coin handling device includes a coin acceptor/rejector which may be of conventional, commercially available type, and which is operable for determining that a genuine coin has been deposited in the device and which is of the appropriate denomination for achieving a desired operation of the device. A coin chute is disposed to receive at a first end a coin received by the acceptor/rejector and to deposit from the other end thereof into a coin box or receptacle within the device, the coin so deposited. A coin retaining means is pivotally mounted and normally resiliently biased to project into the chute adjacent the discharge end thereof, and to retain in a predetermined position adjacent that discharge end a coin received into the chute from the acceptor/rejector.

A movable plate'is adapted for manual operation by the user, to be inserted into the machine or withdrawn from the machine in a cyclic operation. The plate carries thereon a locking bar and a coin release action bar. The locking bar is normally resiliently biased to engage a stop fixedly mounted within the device to prevent completion of the insertion operation. The locking bar furthermore includes a portion disposed to engage a coin when retained within the chute, thereby'to prevent the locking bar from engaging the stop and to permit complete insertion of the plate. When complete insertion is thus permitted, the inserting movement of the plate enables the coin release action bar to engage the coin retaining means and withdraw the latter from the chute by pivoting the latter about its pivotal mount and against the normal resilient bias applied thereto. The coin thereupon is discharged from the chute into the coin box. During this complete insertion movement as permitted by the presence of a coin in the chute, the desired operation is thereupon obtained.

Specifically, the mechanical insertion operation may be utilized to actuate, through appropriate mechanical linkages, other mechanisms or to actuate an electrical switch thereby to achieve the actuation of a further mechanism. Alternatively, in a coin changing embodiment of the invention, the operation initiates the dispensing of a number of coins of smaller denominations or the combined actuation of a further mechanism with dispensing of coins, the total value corresponding to that of the deposited coin.

In the coin changing embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, there are further provided a plurality of vertical, or upright, cylindrical tubes preferably of plastic and which serve as supply reservoirs for coins, the number and diameter of each tube corresponding to the number of different value coins, and their corresponding physical dimensions, which are to be dispensed in accordance with the change making operation. In this embodiment, the movable plate is generally of planar configuration and disposed in a horizontal plane, typically riding on an underlying horizontal support plate to which other parts of the apparatus also are mounted. The plate contains receptacles, or pockets, disposed in positions therein corresponding to the arrangement of the coin storage tubes, such that when the plate is inserted fully into the machine when a coin is presented in the chute, the pockets register with the corresponding coin storage tubes. The plate is slightly thinner than the spacing between the end of each coin storage tube and the support plate, this spacing and the thickness of the plate preferably being selected with respect to the thicknesses of the coin in the corresponding tubes.

Thus, the bottom-most coin of each stack of coins in the coin storage tubes normally rides on the planar surface of the movable plate, which in this embodiment may be considered a dispensing plate, and when the plate is fully moved into the inserted position, a single coin drops by gravity from the storage tube into the pocket registered therewith. The dispensing plate then is withdrawn from the inserted position and the pockets retain the coins received therein. In the fully withdrawn position, the pockets are disposed above a discharged chute which connects with a receptacle, the coins falling from the pockets through the discharge chute to the receptacle from which they are accessible to the user. The cycle of operation is only permitted when a coin of appropriate value has been deposited and accepted and retained within the coin chute as above noted; furthermore, that deposited coin is discharged into the coin reservoir upon completion of the insertion operation and prior to withdrawal and dispensing of the coins from the storage tubes.

A gravity actuated coin rejecting element is normally biased by gravity to project into the coin retaining position of the coin chute in the absence of a coin therein, thereby to permit a coin to be accepted and received into the coin chute. The presence of a coin in the retaining position of the coin chute, however, displaces the coin sensor and causes the latter to project into an upper portion of the coin chute whereby a deposited coin is automatically rejected. Thus, when a coin is present in the chute, a second coin is automatically rejected to assure that the cycle of operation relating to the already deposited coin is first completed. A coin supply sensor communicates with a selected coin storage tube and is normally biased by gravity to project therein in the absence of coins in the tube, similarly to effect an automatic rejecting of any deposited coins when the selected tube is empty. The presence of one or more coins in the tube, however, displaces the sensor from the tube and withdraws it from the coin chute thereby to permit deposited coins to be received and passed through the coin chute to enable the operation of the mechanism.

As noted, the coin storage tubes incorporated in the coin changer embodiment of the apparatus of the invention are of various diameters corresponding to the coins to be received therein and the lengths thereof may be selected to correspond to the required number and types of coins to be dispensed. These coin storage tubes conveniently may be filled from portable coin supply tubes of respectively corresponding diameters and lengths, having sufficient coins to fill each respective storage tube to the desired level within a minimum of time, simply by lowering an entire column of coins into each of the coin reservoir tubes. Coin supply tubes of the type herein disclosed and discussed constitute the subject matter of a copending application, entitled Coin Handling and Storage Tubes and constituting an invention of the same inventor herein.

The coin handling apparatus of the invention is of greatly simplified construction compared to similar devices of the prior art and comprises a limited number of relatively inexpensive parts of simple design. The cyclic operation of the device does not produce any substantial wear on any of the parts. Nevertheless, the simplicity of construction and operation greatly simplifies maintenance and servicing of the apparatus. Furthermore, the apparatus of the invention is quiet in operation and thus is ideally suited for use in areas where quiet operation is important, such as libraries and hospitals. Servicing of the apparatus, when utilized as a coin changing device, for replenishing the supply of coins in the storage tubes is of the greatest possible simplicity and may be effected in little time and with great ease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, like numerals refer to the same part in each of the various figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of this invention enclosed within a housing;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the device of this invention taken along the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the device showing the coin reservoir tubes mounted in position on the support plate and a portion of the discharge chute;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the back side of the coin tube mounting plate and the triggering mechanism connected to the end of the dispensing plate;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the back side of the coin acceptor/rejector mounting plate showing a trap door coin holder for a deposited coin;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dispensing plate mechanism and the associated triggering mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the device of the invention and particularly that portion comprising the dispensing plate and the associated triggering mechanism arranged for reverse action and incorporating a different arrangement of coin pockets;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the device of FIG. 7, taken along a similarly oriented line as the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With concurrent reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the coin handling apparatus of the invention is particularly disclosed in a preferred embodiment of a coin changer. It will be appreciated, however that the apparatus may be employed additionally or alternatively for actuating through mechanical linkages or by electrical switch means, a further mechanism to be controlled in response to receipt of a coin of a proper denomination in the apparatus of the invention. In accordance with any of the alternative embodiments of the invention, a coin of a specified value is deposited in the slot 10 and received in a coin acceptor/rejector 11. The acceptor/rejector 11 may be of any of the commercially available types suitable for the detection of deposited coins to determine that they are real or genuine and, in the event that they are not, to automatically reject any spurious coin or coin of an unacceptable denomination.

In FIG. 2 the acceptor/rejector I1 is positioned to discharge an accepted coin into a coin chute 12 at the upper end thereof, the coin chute communicating at the other end thereof with a coin receptacle or box 45. A coin retaining mechanism, to be described, includes pins 16, spaced apart slightly in a horizontal direction and adapted to be positioned within the passageway of the chute 12 to receive and retain in position thereon a deposited and accepted coin 15, as shown in FIG. 2. The coin chute is preferably formed of lightweight metal sheeting, and is slightly wider and deeper in its internal dimensions than the diameter and thickness, respectively, of the coin l5 whichis deposited. The coin chute is attached to a vertical mounting board 55 which in turn is secured to a base support plate 44 by right angle brackets 54, as shown in FIG. 5.

It is to be understood that the materials of which the apparatus of the invention is constructed may be selected as desired. They have been shownto be of wood in many instances since this affords a sound deadening effect contributing to relatively noiseless operatiomQuite clearly, however, any suitable material such as metal, laminated plastics, or the like may be employed, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art- The coin retaining mechanism associated with the pins 16 further includes a pivotally or hingedly mounted element 14 which may be characterized as a trap door and which is received within an opening of corresponding configuration in the vertical mounting plate 55 and secured thereto by a spring hinge 13. The hinge 13 resiliently urges the trap door 14 to the closed position indicated in FIGS. 2 and 5 and permits the door 14 to be swung rearwardly against the resilient biasing, to the dotted line position indicated in FIG. 2. The coin retaining pins 16 are secured to the door 14 in any suitable manner, as is a further pin 17 which extends from the door 14 through suitable openings in the support wall 55 and the walls of the chute 12, thereby to be accessible from the front of the support wall 55 and chute 12. Particularly, and in a manner to be described, pin 17 and the end of the coin release action bar 24 are aligned in relationship such that the bar 24 may engage pin 17 when moved rearwardly and thus to the right in FIG. 2, and thus displace the trapdoor 14 to the dotted line position, permitting the coin to be released and deposited in the coin box 45. It will be appreciated that pin 17 is positioned so as not to interfere with the coin passageway through the chute 12.

A second vertical support or mounting plate 32 has mounted thereon plastic coin reservoir tubes 36. Conveniently, rivets 36d, FIG. 3, may secure the tubes 36 to plate 32. The mounting plate 32 is anchored to base support plate 44 with right angle brackets 53, FIGS. 3 and 4. These tubes 36 may be aligned across the width of the machine as shown in FIG. 3 or the tubes may be arranged in tandem as shown in FIG. 8.

Each of the coin reservoir tubes 36 has an inside bevel 36c at the top and a cutaway section 36a at the front, the latter extending almost to the bottom end of the tube, for ease in loading a supply of coins into the tubes. The lower end of each coin tube 36 has an outside bevel 36b which extends into an inside bevel 61a in a base plate 61, FIG. 3. The tubes 36 are secured inside the plate 61 with a conventional cement. The base plate 61 is parallel to support plate 44 and separated from it by a pair of spacer bars 43, each of which is slightly thicker than the thickest coin to be dispensed.

A movable dispensing plate 40, seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7, includes handle 39 to facilitate its manual actuation between inserted and withdrawn positions in effecting a cycle of operation, the withdrawn position being illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 2 and the inserted position, by the dotted line indication in that figure.

The plate 40 is preferably of metal or other durable,

rigid material and is of generally planar configuration, lying in a horizontal plane. It is slightly thinner than the space afforded between the base plate 61 and the base support plate 44, as provided by the spacer bars 43. As more fully described hereafter, the plate 40 defines openings therein to receive coins from the coin tubes 36 when in the fully inserted position. Accordingly, the thickness of the plate 40 may be modified in various portions thereof to conform to the thicknesses of the coins to be received in the respective pockets, such that the plate 40is in each instance slightly thinner in each portion thereof than the thickness of the coin to be received in the associated pocket. Correspondingly, the bar 61 may be modified on its lower surface to define a space relative to the base support 42 which varies in accordance with the denomination of the coin in the storage tube 36 associated with that portion of the bar 61. In general, it will be understood'that the spacing permits freedom of movement of the plate 40 beneath the coin storage tubes while preventing discharge of any coins from the tubes unless and until the pockets of the dispensing plate are received thereunder and in which case but a single coin is removed at a time. It will further be understood that if two coins are to be removed from a given tube at a given time, the dimensions may be correspondingly adjusted.

The plate 40 projects rearwardly of the support wall 32 and carries on that projecting portion thereof a pair of mounting brackets 28, FIGS. 1 and 4. A lock bar 26 and a coin release action bar 24 are secured to the brackets 28 with a pin 56 which permits rotational movement of the bars about the axis defined by the pin. For this purpose, washers may be provided between the bars and, as well, between the bars and the brackets.

A spring 27, conveniently secured to the brackets 28 such as in conjunction with the rivets which secure the brackets 28 to the plate 40, is received over the bars 24 and 26 and exerts a resilient downwardly directed force. The bars 24 and 26 are thus caused to ride within a groove 25a in an L-shaped stop bar 25 fixedly mounted on the support plate 44.

As best seen in FIG. 2, when the dispensing plate 40 is pushed inwardly, or inserted, and thus moved in the direction to the right in FIG. 2, and in the absence of a coin within the retained position in the chute, the lock bar 26 is urged downwardly'along the inclined surface of notch 26a thereby to engage stop 25 and restrict the movement of the plate 40. The trapdoor 14 thus remains in its normal, closedposition. However, if a coin 15 is received in the retained position as indicated, the tapered end of the lock bar 26 engages the upper periphery of the coin, causing the bar 26 to ride upwardly and thus avoid engaging the notch 26a with the stop 25 and permitting complete insertion of the plate 40 to the fully inserted position. During this forward movement, the coin release action bar 24 is caused to engage pin 17, thereby moving the trapdoor 14 rearwardly to the dotted line position and withdrawing the coin retaining pins 16 from the chute 12, whereby the coin drops into the coin box 45.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the plate 40 includes a number of circular openings 41 arranged therein in a pattern corresponding to the arrangement of storage tubes 36 in a given device, the diameters of the holelike openings being slightly greater than those of the coins in the respectively associated tubes 36. As previously noted,'the plate 40 may be of varying thicknesses, in longitudinal sections thereof including each such circular opening 41, thereby to be slightly thinner than the thickness of the coin to be received in the opening 41. The openings 41 thus receive coins from the associated coin storage tubes 36 when the plate 40 is in the fully inserted position as above described, the openings 41 thus serving as pockets to entrap the coin received therein and permit pulling of the coin from the bottom of the stack as the plate 40 is withdrawn in completing the cycle of operation. The plate 40 thus is withdrawn to its full outward position, such that the coins fall from the pockets through an opening or discharge chute 42 in the base plate 44 and into a coin receptacle 49 wherethey are accessible to, and may be claimed by, the user. The relative dimensions of the parts are designed to afford a sequence of operation wherein, when a deposited coin is present in the retained position, the trapdoor 14 is first swung rearwardly to release the coin 15 to drop into the coin box 45 prior to the coins from the storage tubes falling into the corresponding holes 41 and thereupon to be withdrawn and discharged or dispensed into the receptacle 49.

If a second coin were deposited in the changer and permitted to drop into the coin chute 12 before the first coin is discharged, lock bar 26 could not be pushed toward the right and the changer would jam. To prevent this condition, a coin return for all but the first coin is incorporated as follows. A small rod 19 is pivotally mounted on bracket 18 and is designed to move into slot 62 in trap door 14, FIG. 5, and a corresponding slot 64 in chute 12 through which lock bar 26 moves. This allows the upper end of the rod (see FIG. 2) to move toward the left to withdraw the end 19a out of the coin acceptor 11. When an acceptable coin is deposited and comes to rest upon pins 16, it forces the lower end 19b of the rod 19 to move toward the left, FIG. 2, which in turn causes the upper end 190 of the rod to project into the acceptor 11. In this position, any other coin is made to return to the outside coin return receptacle 58, FIG. 1. The long bend in rod 19 affords a weight distribution which gravity biases the rod into the slots 62 and 64, the bend being adjusted in an initial alignment procedure so that the gravity bias is readily overcome by the weight and force of the dropped coin.

It is also necessary for a coin changer to return a user's coin when the supply of coins is exhausted. This is accomplished by the action of another rod which is pivotally mounted at 31a to a small bracket 31. A slot 57, FIGS. 3 and 4, is cut through a coin tube 36, FIG. 3, and a second slot 57a through the mounting plate 32, FIG. 4, just behind slot 57, for receiving the end of the rod 20. The configuration of rod 20, supplemented by weight 29, produces a gravity force effect tending to rotate rod 20 in a clockwise direction about pivot 31a, in the view of FIG. 2.

As long as a few coins remain in the tube 36, the lower end of rod 20 is displaced thereby and maintained in the position shown in FIG. 2, thereby maintaining the upper end of the rod 20 at its maximum position toward the left, or in a counter-clockwise direction, as shown. The upper crooked end of rod 20, working through the looped end of another rod 21 pivotally mounted at 23 to bracket 22, causes the lower horizontal end 210 of rod 21 to be withdrawn from the 1 adjacent opening of the discharge end of the coin acceptor 11. When the remaining coins in the coin reservoir tube 36 are below the lower extremity of rod 20, the noted gravity effect causes the rod 20 to rotate in a clockwise direction about pivot 31a, whereby the lower end of the rod 20 moves into the coin tube 36 through slots 57 and 57a, or to its maximum left position, and the crooked upper end of the rod 20 correspondingly moves downwardly, in a clockwise rotational direction, pulling the looped end of rod 21 downwardly. Rod 21 thus rotates in a clockwise direction about pivot 23, causing the lower horizontal part 21a of rod 21 to be inserted into the adjacent opening at the discharge end of coin acceptor 11. With the rod 21 thus inserted, any coin deposited in the device will be returned to the receptacle 58, FIG. 1, where it can be recovered by the patron.

In a conventional manner, a spring action push button 52 is provided for releasing bent or spurious coins from the acceptor/rejector 11, the coin being returned to the coin return receptacle 58, FIG. 1. For a purpose to be described, the button 52 may be releasably secured to the acceptor/rejector 11, for example by an internal screw connection (not shown). The return chute from the acceptor/rejector 11 to return receptacle 58 is of conventional design. The rejected coins from acceptor/rejector 11 whether rejected as spruious, manually rejected by operation of conventional release button 52, or through blockage by rod 21, or rod 19, are, in each instance, led to return receptacle 58 by a common, conventional return chute.

Coin reservoir tubes 36 preferably are filled to receptive levels which result in all tubes becoming empty at the same time. In any case, however, the tube which receives the lower end of rod 20 for sensing the supply of coins is selected to be one that becomes empty first, or no later than any other tube. Thus, sensing the supply in that tube assures that the user will in all cases receive his full quota of change, or else have his deposited coin returned.

The coin reservoir tube 36 selected to serve as the supply indicator, has associated therewith a lift rod 30, FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, which projects through slot 66 in plate 32, which is pivoted in mounting plate 32 at 32a, as best seen in FIG. 2. Actuator end 30a of rod 30 extends toward the front of the machine and thus to the left in FIG. 2. When end 30a is pressed downwardly, the rod 30 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, rotating the inner, looped end 30b upwardly and in turn engaging and rotating rod in a counterclockwise direction. The coin supply sensing, lower end 20a of rod 20 thus moves toward the right and is withdrawn from the coin reservoir tube 36. This allows the newly added coins to fall freely into the reservoir tube 36 in properly stacked horizontal positions.

Preferably, the reservoir tubes are filled from coin storage tubes which may be of the type disclosed in the copending application entitled Coin Handling, Transport and Storage Tubes and constituting an invention of the inventor herein. Such supply tubes are designed to hole a stack of coins sufficient to fill an entire reservoir tube in one single operation and are adapted for a mating fit of the lower ends thereof with the upper ends of corresponding tubes 36, permitting the supply stack to drop directly in to the storage tubes 36.

If the changer is not firmly mounted on a wall, table, or other object, it might be inverted. To prevent coins falling out of the open, and normally upper ends of the coin reservoir tubes, a metal plate 35, FIG. 2, is provided having an upper horizontal flange which is received over, and covers the upper ends of the tubes 36. Pins 34 depend from the flange and are received in suitable recesses in the plate 32 to lock the plate in position. The plate 35 furthermore includes a vertical portion and a lower, oppositely directed horizontal flange, which configuration also saves to lock the plate 35 in position.

A handle 33, FIG. 1, is bolted to the mounting board 32 to facilitate removing the operating mechanism from its enclosure for servicing, and as well to afford access to the coin box 45. In the alternative, access to the coin box 45 may be afforded by providing a separate door with an appropriate lock, located on the side of the housing adjacent to the coin box. It is slightly larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of the coin box to facilitate removal of the box for emptying its contents. L-shaped metal brackets 47, FIGS. 1 and 8, hold thecoin box 45 in its proper position, when in place, while affording ease of removal.

The housing 50 includes a cover 50a, FIGS. 1 and 2, hinged at 51 to the upper surface of the enclosure 50 adjacent the rear wall thereof. The lock 37 operated with key 38 secures the cover 50a to the base of the enclosure 50. Lock 37 is of a conventional type and may include an elongated bar which engages pin 60 secured in base 50 having an engaging slot.

Mounting bolts 65 or other suitable securing means are used to mount the machine permanently on a wall or other structure, as desired. If the machine is used on a table or stand in a supervised area, and not wallmounted, four rubber cushioned feet (not shown) may be attached to the bottom of the enclosure to prevent scarring of a surface it may be set upon.

An alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Although incorporating the same basic elements, which are therefore identified by identical, but primed numerals, the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 provides for a reverse actuation relative to that of the embodiment previously discussed and, as well, provides for a somewhat more compact structure. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the coin tubes 36' are arranged in a tandem, or double row, configuration. It will be apparent that a number of different arrangements of the coin tubes may be employed in accordance with desired coin holding capacity and requirements. The dispensing plate 40', FIG. 7, is made longer and has a cut-out 63 to fit around the L-angle stop bar 25' which is mounted on base support plate 44'. The mounting brackets 28' for the coin release bar 24' and the lock bar 26 are mounted on the inward end of the dispensing plate 40'. As before noted, a reverse actuation is achieved by this configuration, although the same principle of operation is involved. Specifically, the dispensing plate 40' is to be fully inserted to permit a deposited coin to fall to the retained position on pins 16'; as described in more detail below, dispensing plate 40' is enabled then to be withdrawn, receiving coins from the storage tubes and discharging them to a dispensed coin receptacle 49', in succession, as it is moved to the fully withdrawn position. Subsequent insertion of the plate 40' then completes the cycle of reciprocation. The coin acceptor/rejector and automatic reject, or return mechanisms, are not shown in FIG. 8 since they correspond to those as previously described.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, only one vertical mounting plate 32' is used. To this is attached a coin chute 12' which receives a coin from a coin acceptor (not shown) and directs it to the retained position on pins 16' projecting into the chute 12 from trapdoor 14' in the mounting plate 32'. The spring hinge 13' is mounted on the front of mounting plate 32' and thus on the left in FIG. 8, and permits the trap door 14' to be forced open to the left by the action of coin release bar 24', and thus in the opposite direction relative to the operation in FIG. 2. Coin l5 thereupon is discharged through slot 46' into coin box 45'. The lock bar 26' normally engages stop 25' when there is no coin on pins 16', thereby restricting the withdrawal of plate 40 and preventing dispensing of any coins. When a coin is present, dispensing plate 40' can be fully withdrawn, and thus moved to the left in FIG. 8. Thus, coins received in the pockets 41' of plate 40' are pulled from under the coin reservoir tubes 36' and dispensed through the coin chute 42 into receptacle 49.

In both embodiments, support bars 48 (48') and 48a (48a' for the base support plate 44 (44') are secured to each side of the enclosure 50 respectively adjacent the front and rear of the machine. Bar 48 also has the coin receptacle 49 secured to it. The operating mechanism is assembled on the common base support plate 44 (44), the latter resting upon the support bars at its front and rear edge portions.

When the coin changer is used to operate other mechanically operated machines, conventional linkages readily may be connected to the dispensing plate 40 and be adapted to actuate a further mechanism,

such as a machine for dispensing merchandise or a machine providing a service, such as a copying machine or washing machine. Many electrically operated machines such as copying machines and washing machines operate when a push button switch is pressed. Such machines may be operated by the coin handling. apparatus of the invention, such as by a mechanical'linkage as above described, which would operate to press the electrical push button when the dispensing plate 40 is pushed into the machine. Alternatively, an electrical switch 67, as shown in FIG. 1,

may be provided in fixed position adjacent the trap door 14, to be actuated thereby when the door 14 is swung open to release the retained coinand thereby close the circuit to the electrically operatedmachine.

When the service rendered or product vended is less than the value of the deposited coin, the coin changing function may be provided as above described; particularly, in the cycle of inserting and withdrawing the dispensing plate 40, the appropriate change due from the transaction may be dispensed from the coin reservoir tubes 36 as described above.

As noted, where it is desirable that the operation be particularly quiet, various portions of the apparatus may be made of a sound-deadening material, such as wood, as illustrated for the elements 44, 48, 49, 50 and 50a in the drawings. However, these parts may be made from any suitable conventional material, such as metal, laminated plastic, and the like.

Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A coin handling apparatus for actuating a further mechanism in response to deposit therein a coin of an appropriate value comprising:

a coin chute for receiving a coin deposited in said apparatus at a first end thereof and discharging a coin received thereby from a second end thereof, said chute being mounted in a generally vertical position to permit a coin received therein to fall therethrough from said first end to said second end,

coin retaining means mounted adjacent said coin chute and movable into said chute adjacent said discharge end thereof to retain a coin within said coin chute and out of said coin chute to facilitate .the discharge of a coin from said coin chute, said coin retaining means normally being urged into position within said chute for retaining an accepted coin within said chute,

manual operating means movable in a rectilinear manner between first and second positions and carrying coin sensing and release means,

a stop mounted in fixed relation with respect to said coin handling apparatus,

spring means for urging said coin sensing and release means normally into engagement with said stop and preventing the movement of said manually operated means from its first to its second position, said coin sensing and release means including a cam surface to be received in said coin chute when said manually operated means is moved toward its second position, thus engaging a coin retained therein whereby said' coin sensing and release means is displaced from said normal stop engaging position by the action of said cam surface upon the coin to permit completion of the movement of said manually operated means toward its second position, and I said manually operated means, upon being disposed to its second position, enabling said release portion of said coin sensing and release means to engage and displace said coin retaining means from said coin chute for release and discharge of the coin for receiving coins deposited therein and determining the acceptability thereof, and

said coin chute communicates with said acceptor/rejector at said first end thereof for receiving an accepted coin discharged therefrom. 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein there is further provided coin return means associated with said acceptor/rejector for receiving rejected coins discharged therefrom and conveying each such rejected coin to the exterior of said apparatus.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein-there is provided:

coin rejection means pivotally mounted adjacent said coin chute and having a first end adapted to be received in said coin chute in the coin retaining position thereof in the absence of a coin retained thereat, and adapted to be deflected by a deposited coin falling into that retained position thereby to pivot said coin rejecting means, and

said coin rejecting means having a second'end which is projected into the path of travel of a coin to be received in said coin chute when said coin rejecting means is pivoted by the displacement of 'the first end and aforesaid, said second end thereby deflecting any further coin from being received by said coin chute when a previously deposited coin is present in the coin retaining position,

said coin rejecting means being normally biased to maintain said second end in a withdrawn position and said first end in said received position within said coin chute, and coin return means for receiving a coin rejected by 40 said coin rejecting means and conveying each said rejected coin to the exterior of said apparatus.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 for dispensing one or more coins of predetermined denominations in response to the deposit therein of a coin of a predetermined larger denomination, comprising:

coin storage means for storing coins to be dispensed by said apparatus,

dispensed coin output means for receiving each dispensed coin of a smaller denomination and providing each such dispensed coin to the user of the apparatus, and

said manually operable means includes coin receiving means adapted to receive a coin from each of said storage means and to convey each such received coin to said dispensed coin output means in a complete reciprocating movement thereof at forded when a deposited coin is presentin said retained position.

6. Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein there is further provided:

a coin acceptor/rejector for receiving a deposited coin and determining that it is of appropriate denomination and is genuine,

coin return means for receiving rejected coins from said acceptor/rejector and conveying each such rejected coin to the exterior of the apparatus, and

said acceptor/rejector dischargeseach such acceptable coin to be received by said coin chute and each such rejected coin to be received by said coin return means. 7. Apparatus as recited in claim wherein: said coin storage means stores a generally vertical stack of coins and includes an opening in a sidewall thereof providing communication of the bottom of the stack of coins contained therein, and there is further provided: coin rejecting means pivotally mounted adjacent said coin storage means and having a first end adapted to be received through said opening in the sidewall of said storage means and a second end adapted to be inserted in the path of a deposited coin to deflect a deposited coinfrom said coin chute, said coin rejecting means being normally biased to cause said first end to project inwardly of said storage means in the absence of one or more coins in the lowermost end of said stack and adapted to be displaced by coins in that lowermost end of the stack thereby to pivot said coin rejecting means against the normally biased position thereof, and said second end thereof is normally inserted in the path of a deposited coin thereby to deflect a deposited coin from being received in said chute, and, when said first end thereof is displaced by one or more coins in the lowermost end of said coin rejecting means, said coin rejecting means is pivoted to with-drawn said second end from said coin path thereby to permit a deposited coin to be received in said coin chute, and coin return means for receiving a coin deflected by said second end of said coin rejecting means and conveying the deflected coins thus received to the eiiterior of the apparatus. 8. Apparatus as recited in claim 7 further comprising a lever pivotally mounted in fixed position with respect to the pivotal mounting of said coin rejecting means and including a first manually operative end and a second engaging end engaged with said coin rejecting means, said lever being biased to remain in engagement with said coin rejecting means to be pivoted thereby in response to the pivoting movement of said coin rejecting means, and

said lever, when displaced at its manually operative end, pivots about its pivotable mount and in turn pivots said coin rejecting means to withdraw said first end thereof from said coin storage means to facilitate stacking of additional coins in said coin storage means. 9. Apparatus as recitedin ing:

further coin rejecting means pivotally mounted adjacent said coin chute and normally biased to extend a first end thereof into the coin retaining position of said chute in the absence of a coin therein, thereby to maintain a second endof said further coin rejecting means in a withdrawn position, said first end being displaced by a coin falling into the retained position thereby to pivot said further rejecting means and insert a second end thereof into the path of travel of a coin'to deflect a further deposited coin from said coin chute and said deflected coin thereby being received by said coin return means.

claim 8 further compris- 10. Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said manual operating means comprises a generally planar element disposed in a horizontal position and adapted for manual, reciprocating movement from the exterior of the apparatus by a user thereof, and there is further provided first and second generally planar and horizontally disposed support elements defining a space therebetween for receiving said planar, movable element of said operating means, said coin storage means is mounted on said first planar element for dispensing a coin from each said means from the bottom of the stack thereof through said first planar element into the space beneath said first planar element and above said second planar element, and said movable planar element has an opening therein corresponding in dimensions to the denomination of a coin to be received from each said coin storage means and adapted to be positionedin registry therewith in the complete reciprocating movement of said manually operated planar element afi'orded when a deposited coin is presentedv in said retained position of said coin chute, for receiving a coin from said stack and for conveying the coin thus received to said dispensed coin output means. 1 1. Apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein: said coin storage means comprise a plurality of elongated tubular elements generally vertically disposed and each containing a stack of coins of a predetermined denomination, and

said generally planar operating element includes a corresponding plurality of openings therein adapted for positioning in registry with said respectively corresponding coin storage tubular elements for receiving coins therefrom in said corresponding openings when said complete reciprocating movement is afforded.

12. Apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said space between said planar support elements and the thickness of said movable planar elements are selected to effect the discharge of a single coin from the bottom of the stack of coins of each said tubular storage element into said corresponding openings of said planar operating element when moved into registry therewith.

13. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising means responsive to the movement of said manually operated means to its second position for actuating a further mechanism.

14. Apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said responsive means comprises an electrical switch.

15. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising an electrical switch mounted within said apparatus and adapted to be engagedby said coin retaining means when moved out of said chute for releasing a coin in said retained position therein, thereby to effect the closure of said switch and to provide energization of a further mechanism.

16. Coin handling apparatus comprising:

a horizontal support plate and a vertical mounting plate secured to said horizontal support plate,

a coin acceptor/rejector secured to said vertical mounting plate for receiving a coin deposited within said apparatus,

a coin return chute for receiving rejected coins discharged by said acceptor/rejector and conveying each such rejected coin to the exterior of the apparatus,

a coin chute mounted to said vertical plate and positioned to receive at a first end thereof an accepted coin discharged by said acceptor/rejector and conveying each such accepted coin to a lower end thereof,

coin returning means pivotally mounted to said vertical mounting plate adjacent said lower end of said coin chute and including a coin retaining element, said coin retaining means normally being biased to project said coin retaining element into said chute adjacent the lower end thereof to retain an accepted coin received in said coin chute in a coin retaining position at the lower end of said chute,

a generally planar plate received in sliding engagement on the upper surface of said horizontal sup port plate movable between first and second positions,

a stop,

coin sensing and release means carried by said movable plate, spring means for normally biasing said coin sensing and release means to engage said stop and restrict the extent of movement of said movable plate, said coin sensing and release means including a cam surface being adapted to project into said coin retaining position within said chute and, upon engaging a coin therein, to displace said coin sensing and release means from said normally biased stop engaging position to avoid engaging said stop and to permit completion of the movement of said movable plate to its second position, and

said coin release portion of said coin sensing and release means engaging said coin retaining means when movement of said plate to its second position is permitted by the presence of a coin in said coin retaining position, to withdraw said coin retaining element from said chute and permit the retained coin to be released from the lower end of said chute.

l7. Coin handling apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said coin release means comprises a trap door received within a corresponding opening in said vertical mounting plate and mounted to said vertical mounting plate by a hinge, and there is further provided a spring for urging said trap door to a normally vertical position within said opening in said vertical mounting plate.

18. Apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said coin retaining element comprises a pin carried by said trap door and received in a corresponding opening in said chute to retain thereon a coin in said coin retaining position of said chute, and

said coin release means engages said trap door when the complete reciprocating movement of said movable operating means is afforded by a coin in said retained position, to swing said trap door against the biasing of the spring from its normal position to an opened position, thereby to withdraw said pin from said chute and permit said coin to be discharged from said chute.

19. Apparatus as recited in claim 18 further comprising an electrical switch fixedly mounted within said apparatus and positioned to be engaged and actuated by said trap door when swung to its open position.

20. Apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein there is further provided:

a further vertical mounting plate secured to said horizontal support plate and defining an elongated horizontal opening between the lower edge of said vertical plate and the upper surface of the horizontal plate, said generally planar movable plate being received in sliding engagement through said opening,

a plurality of elongated coin storage tubes secured in a generally vertical position to said further vertical mounting plate, said tubes being opened on the lower end thereof and engaging said movable plate,

said movable plate having openings therein corresponding to said tubes to receive in each said opening a coin from the corresponding storage tube when registered therewith upon completion of the reciprocating movement of said movable member in a first direction, as afforded when a coin is present in said coin retaining position,

a dispensed coin output means for conveying dispensed coins to the exterior of said apparatus, and

said movable plate is movable in a second, opposite direction for withdrawing coins received in the opening thereof from the bottoms of said coin tubes and, when fully withdrawn, disposes said openings therein over said dispensed coin output means for discharging said coins contained in said openings into said dispensed coin output means.

21. Apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein:

said vertical mounting plate is displaced at the lower edge thereof from said horizontal support plate to define a generally horizontal opening through which said movable plate extends, said plate normally being inserted within said apparatus, and there is further provided a plurality of coin storage tubes secured in a generally vertical position to said vertical mounting plate, said coin tubes receiving a stack of coins therein and being opened at the bottom ends thereof with the lowest coin of each stack engaging the upper surface of said movable plate,

said movable plate having openings therein corresponding to said coin tubes and said plate being movable to a withdrawn position when completion of reciprocating movement thereof is enabled by the presence of a coin in said coin retaining position, to effect registry of the openings with the bottoms of the respectively corresponding coin tubes for receiving in each said opening a coin from the corresponding tube,

a dispensed coin output means for conveying dispensed coins to the exterior of said apparatus, and

said movable plate furthermore is movable to a fully withdrawn position for disposing the openings therein over said dispensed coin output means to discharge the coins contained in said openings into said dispensed coin output means.

i I? i l 0' 

1. A coin handling apparatus for actuating a further mechanism in response to deposit therein a coin of an appropriate value comprising: a coin chute for receiving a coin deposited in said apparatus at a first end thereof and discharging a coin received thereby from a second end thereof, said chute being mounted in a generally vertical position to permit a coin received therein to fall therethrough from said first end to said second end, coin retaining means mounted adjacent said coin chute and movable into said chute adjacent said discharge end thereof to retain a coin within said coin chute and out of said coin chute to facilitate the discharge of a coin from said coin chute, said coin retaining means normally being urged into position within said chute for retaining an accepted coin within said chute, manual operating means movable in a rectilinear manner between first and second positions and carrying coin sensing and release means, a stop mounted in fixed relation with respect to said coin handling apparatus, spring means for urging said coin sensing and release means normally into engagement with said stop and preventing the movement of said manually operated means from its first to its second position, said coin sensing and release means including a cam surface to be received in said coin chute when said manually operated means is moved toward its second position, thus engaging a coin retained therein whereby said coin sensing and release means is displaced from said normal stop engaging position by the action of said cam surface upon the coin to permit completion of the movement of said manually operated means toward its second position, and said manually operated means, upon being disposed to its second position, enabling said release portion of said coin sensing and release means to engage and displace said coin retaining means from said coin chute for release and discharge of the coin from said chute and affording the actuation of said further mechanism.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a coin acceptor/rejector for receiving coins deposited therein and determining the acceptability thereof, and said coin chute communicates with said acceptor/rejector at said first end thereof for receiving an accepted coin discharged therefrom.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein there is further provided coin return means associated with said acceptor/rejector for receiving rejected coins discharged therefrom and conveying each such rejected coin to the exterior of said apparatus.
 4. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein there is provided: coin rejection means pivotally mounted adjacent said coin chute and having a first end adapted to be received in said coin chute in the coin retaining position thereof in the absence of a coin retained thereat, and adapted to be deflected by a deposited coin falling into that retained position thereby to pivot said coin rejecting means, and said coin rejecting means having a second end which is projected into the path of travel of a coin to be received in said coin chute when said coin rejecting means is pivoted by the displacement of the first end and aforesaid, said second end thereby deflecting any further coin from being received by said coin chute when a previously deposited coin is present in the coin retaining position, said coin rejecting means being normally biased to maintain said second end in a withdrawn position and said first end in said received position within said coin chute, and coin return means for receiving a coin rejected by said coin rejecting means and conveying each said rejected coin to the exterior of said apparatus.
 5. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 for dispensing one or more coins of predetermined denominations in response to the deposit therein of a coin of a predetermined larger denomination, comprising: coin storage means for storing coins to be dispensed by said apparatus, dispensed coin output means for receiving each dispensed coin of a smaller denomination and providing each such dispensed coin to the user of the apparatus, and said manually operable means includes coin receiving means adapted to receive a coin from each of said storage means and to convey each such received coin to said dispensed coin output means in a complete reciprocating movement thereof afforded when a deposited coin is present in said retained position.
 6. Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein there is further provided: a coin acceptor/rejector for receiving a deposited coin and determining that it is of appropriate denomination and is genuine, coin return means for receiving rejected coins from said acceptor/rejector and conveying each such rejected coin to the exterior of the apparatus, and said acceptor/rejector discharges each such acceptable coin to be received by said coin chute and each such rejected coin to be received by said coin return means.
 7. Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein: said coin storage means stores a generally vertical stack of coins and includes an opening in a sidewall thereof providing communication of the bottom of the stack of coins contained therein, and there is further provided: coin rejecting means pivotally mounted adjacent said coin storage means and having a first end adapted to be received through said opening in the sidewall of said storage means and a second end adapted to be inserted in the path of a deposited coin to deflect a deposited coin from said coin chute, said coin rejecting means being normally biased to cause said first end to project inwardly of said storage means in the absence of one or moRe coins in the lowermost end of said stack and adapted to be displaced by coins in that lowermost end of the stack thereby to pivot said coin rejecting means against the normally biased position thereof, and said second end thereof is normally inserted in the path of a deposited coin thereby to deflect a deposited coin from being received in said chute, and, when said first end thereof is displaced by one or more coins in the lowermost end of said coin rejecting means, said coin rejecting means is pivoted to with-drawn said second end from said coin path thereby to permit a deposited coin to be received in said coin chute, and coin return means for receiving a coin deflected by said second end of said coin rejecting means and conveying the deflected coins thus received to the exterior of the apparatus.
 8. Apparatus as recited in claim 7 further comprising a lever pivotally mounted in fixed position with respect to the pivotal mounting of said coin rejecting means and including a first manually operative end and a second engaging end engaged with said coin rejecting means, said lever being biased to remain in engagement with said coin rejecting means to be pivoted thereby in response to the pivoting movement of said coin rejecting means, and said lever, when displaced at its manually operative end, pivots about its pivotable mount and in turn pivots said coin rejecting means to withdraw said first end thereof from said coin storage means to facilitate stacking of additional coins in said coin storage means.
 9. Apparatus as recited in claim 8 further comprising: further coin rejecting means pivotally mounted adjacent said coin chute and normally biased to extend a first end thereof into the coin retaining position of said chute in the absence of a coin therein, thereby to maintain a second end of said further coin rejecting means in a withdrawn position, said first end being displaced by a coin falling into the retained position thereby to pivot said further rejecting means and insert a second end thereof into the path of travel of a coin to deflect a further deposited coin from said coin chute and said deflected coin thereby being received by said coin return means.
 10. Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said manual operating means comprises a generally planar element disposed in a horizontal position and adapted for manual, reciprocating movement from the exterior of the apparatus by a user thereof, and there is further provided first and second generally planar and horizontally disposed support elements defining a space therebetween for receiving said planar, movable element of said operating means, said coin storage means is mounted on said first planar element for dispensing a coin from each said means from the bottom of the stack thereof through said first planar element into the space beneath said first planar element and above said second planar element, and said movable planar element has an opening therein corresponding in dimensions to the denomination of a coin to be received from each said coin storage means and adapted to be positioned in registry therewith in the complete reciprocating movement of said manually operated planar element afforded when a deposited coin is presented in said retained position of said coin chute, for receiving a coin from said stack and for conveying the coin thus received to said dispensed coin output means.
 11. Apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein: said coin storage means comprise a plurality of elongated tubular elements generally vertically disposed and each containing a stack of coins of a predetermined denomination, and said generally planar operating element includes a corresponding plurality of openings therein adapted for positioning in registry with said respectively corresponding coin storage tubular elements for receiving coins therefrom in said corresponding openings when said complete reciprocating movement is afforded.
 12. Apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said space between said planar support elements and the thickness of said movable planar elements are selected to effect the discharge of a single coin from the bottom of the stack of coins of each said tubular storage element into said corresponding openings of said planar operating element when moved into registry therewith.
 13. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising means responsive to the movement of said manually operated means to its second position for actuating a further mechanism.
 14. Apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said responsive means comprises an electrical switch.
 15. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising an electrical switch mounted within said apparatus and adapted to be engaged by said coin retaining means when moved out of said chute for releasing a coin in said retained position therein, thereby to effect the closure of said switch and to provide energization of a further mechanism.
 16. Coin handling apparatus comprising: a horizontal support plate and a vertical mounting plate secured to said horizontal support plate, a coin acceptor/rejector secured to said vertical mounting plate for receiving a coin deposited within said apparatus, a coin return chute for receiving rejected coins discharged by said acceptor/rejector and conveying each such rejected coin to the exterior of the apparatus, a coin chute mounted to said vertical plate and positioned to receive at a first end thereof an accepted coin discharged by said acceptor/rejector and conveying each such accepted coin to a lower end thereof, coin returning means pivotally mounted to said vertical mounting plate adjacent said lower end of said coin chute and including a coin retaining element, said coin retaining means normally being biased to project said coin retaining element into said chute adjacent the lower end thereof to retain an accepted coin received in said coin chute in a coin retaining position at the lower end of said chute, a generally planar plate received in sliding engagement on the upper surface of said horizontal support plate movable between first and second positions, a stop, coin sensing and release means carried by said movable plate, spring means for normally biasing said coin sensing and release means to engage said stop and restrict the extent of movement of said movable plate, said coin sensing and release means including a cam surface being adapted to project into said coin retaining position within said chute and, upon engaging a coin therein, to displace said coin sensing and release means from said normally biased stop engaging position to avoid engaging said stop and to permit completion of the movement of said movable plate to its second position, and said coin release portion of said coin sensing and release means engaging said coin retaining means when movement of said plate to its second position is permitted by the presence of a coin in said coin retaining position, to withdraw said coin retaining element from said chute and permit the retained coin to be released from the lower end of said chute.
 17. Coin handling apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said coin release means comprises a trap door received within a corresponding opening in said vertical mounting plate and mounted to said vertical mounting plate by a hinge, and there is further provided a spring for urging said trap door to a normally vertical position within said opening in said vertical mounting plate.
 18. Apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said coin retaining element comprises a pin carried by said trap door and received in a corresponding opening in said chute to retain thereon a coin in said coin retaining position of said chute, and said coin release means engages said trap door when the complete reciprocating movement of said movable operating means is afforded by a coin in said retained position, to swing said trap door against the biasing of the spring from iTs normal position to an opened position, thereby to withdraw said pin from said chute and permit said coin to be discharged from said chute.
 19. Apparatus as recited in claim 18 further comprising an electrical switch fixedly mounted within said apparatus and positioned to be engaged and actuated by said trap door when swung to its open position.
 20. Apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein there is further provided: a further vertical mounting plate secured to said horizontal support plate and defining an elongated horizontal opening between the lower edge of said vertical plate and the upper surface of the horizontal plate, said generally planar movable plate being received in sliding engagement through said opening, a plurality of elongated coin storage tubes secured in a generally vertical position to said further vertical mounting plate, said tubes being opened on the lower end thereof and engaging said movable plate, said movable plate having openings therein corresponding to said tubes to receive in each said opening a coin from the corresponding storage tube when registered therewith upon completion of the reciprocating movement of said movable member in a first direction, as afforded when a coin is present in said coin retaining position, a dispensed coin output means for conveying dispensed coins to the exterior of said apparatus, and said movable plate is movable in a second, opposite direction for withdrawing coins received in the opening thereof from the bottoms of said coin tubes and, when fully withdrawn, disposes said openings therein over said dispensed coin output means for discharging said coins contained in said openings into said dispensed coin output means.
 21. Apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein: said vertical mounting plate is displaced at the lower edge thereof from said horizontal support plate to define a generally horizontal opening through which said movable plate extends, said plate normally being inserted within said apparatus, and there is further provided a plurality of coin storage tubes secured in a generally vertical position to said vertical mounting plate, said coin tubes receiving a stack of coins therein and being opened at the bottom ends thereof with the lowest coin of each stack engaging the upper surface of said movable plate, said movable plate having openings therein corresponding to said coin tubes and said plate being movable to a withdrawn position when completion of reciprocating movement thereof is enabled by the presence of a coin in said coin retaining position, to effect registry of the openings with the bottoms of the respectively corresponding coin tubes for receiving in each said opening a coin from the corresponding tube, a dispensed coin output means for conveying dispensed coins to the exterior of said apparatus, and said movable plate furthermore is movable to a fully withdrawn position for disposing the openings therein over said dispensed coin output means to discharge the coins contained in said openings into said dispensed coin output means. 